Maimonides Community

BH

Kislev 16, 5773 / Nov 30, 2012

Community Newsletter of the Maimonides Hebrew Day School of the Capital District 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 www.maimonidesschool.org

produced by Rabbi Mendel & students in the TNT (Torah ‘n Technology) Program Maimonides is accredited by the NYS Board of Regents & is a beneficiary of UJF-NENY

maimonidesschool@gmail.com

Candle-Lighting:

4:05 Shabbos Ends:

5:09

This newsletter is dedicated in memory of

Dr. Arye Leib Edward Simons - Yartzeit: Kislev 23 -

In whose merit “The Jewish World” carries both candle-lighting and Shabbos ending times and was commended for it by the Lubavitcher Rebbe

LOOK WHAT FLOATED DOWN PARTRIDGE STREET… A traveling Noah’s Ark walk-thru exhibit with live animals, fake animals, exhibits and fun games, stopped by the Maimonides School on Thursday afternoon on its way up to Saratoga Springs for its visit to the Victorian Walk on Broadway courtesy of Saratoga Chabad. The kids were welcomed aboard by Noah in costume (some of our students recognized him as a “JewishStar” singing finalist). The bottom of the long decorated trailer was wavy foamy blue “water”.

See more pictures & details on page 3 inside >>

“STAINED GLASS” DREIDELS Nursery is busy doing many pre-Chanukah projects, including prep for their Thurs 12/13 singing performance. They cut & pasted tissue pieces onto wax paper and put it in between a black dreidel cutout to make stained-glass-like Dreidels, see the window light shine through! On right is the letter Zayin (first letter of Zayit, LAST WEEK’S “TORAH-TIMES” and Zilpa! Plus Rabbi Rubin gave each student Hebrew for olive) which (plus a few school visitors) a full-color “Maariv” kids painted using sliced WEDDING DECEPTION booklet, with allusions and references to all olives as the paint-stamp!

On Wednesday before Thanksgiving last week, things about Yaakov, including this Wedding They also made oil jugs to Rabbi Rubin and his 6th grade “Torah-Times” deception that was catered by La Vanne and go along with the Zayinclass made an exciting presentation just after strictly follows local custom (as Lavan did).

Zayit olive prints… lunch. It was called a “Wedding Deception of MAIMONIDES Yaakov and Rachel…

404 Partridge Street oops, Leah!” They brought out a wedding Albany NY 12208 cake that was iced and decorated “Mazal Tov”, but when they had a lot of trouble when they tried to cut it, because it was a fake cake (leave it to trickster Lavan!) with icing covering a sheet of cardboard, and a brick underneath it - no cake! In the end, they brought out 3 real cakes (delicious strawberry shortcake, with real strawberries!) one for Leah, one for Rachel and double-cake of Bilha

MUSHROOM & FUNGI JOKES

BOYS MISHMAR UPDATE

Mrs. Maher’s 5th grade is now learning about the classification of kingdoms and species.

Vertebrates and invertebrates, mammals, birds, fish, reptiles.. Moshe raised his hand and said he two jokes to share: Q. Why did the mushroom go to the party?

A. Because he was a fungi (fun guy)!

Q. Why did the fungi leave the party?

A. There wasn’t mushroom (much room)!

Please note that Mishmar is geared for boys in grades 3 and up, and is not equipped for the 2nd graders at this time. Thanks to Moshe K, Eli K and Morah Rivka for making this 2x a month learning enrichment possible.

AFTER-SCHOOL NIGGUNIM SINGOFF & FAMILY YOGA

Last Wednesday just before the start of Thanksgiving Break, there were CUSTOMER SERVICE two programs at school: Hot-Cocoa has been a big hit  Amanda Toll led a family-yoga exercise on bake-sale days. This week, activity for moms and girls, and boys until they ran out of hot-water and 1st grade. It was lively, energizing and fun, had to refill, but it did not all ages really enjoyed it! cook up in time. The boys then  Rabbi Mendel led the boys in grade 2+ in sold 2 more cups of hot-cocoa singing songs using words from Tehillim, before they realized the water and also songs in Yiddish (Oy Chanukah!) wasn’t hot yet! So, they went around and in modern Hebrew (Banu Choshech tracked down those customers and refunded L’Garesh) and English (about the Alter their money. That’s nice customer service!

Rebbe and Mittler Rebbe on the “cry of a child). The boys really got into it!

SOUP-OF-THE-WEEK THANKS

Last week Morah Leyee and Rabbi Yossi made a roasted squash soup, and this week Morah Clara made a split-pea soup, both were very delicious and enjoyed by students and faculty alike! See Mrs. Wildman to sign up for Soupof-the-Week in Nathan’s Kitchen at MHDS.

GRAPHIC DESIGN HS Graphic Design class with Mrs. Leah Caras are learning PhotoShop basics. They finished their first project (photo collages), and are now starting to designing their first flyers using the program. They were each assigned a client, they began by writing emails to the client introducing themselves, and began to work on the themes and pictures needed to get the feel for the event and how to best promote it.

MAZAL TOV SAADYA KAUFMAN YEHUDAH AS YEHUDAH Saadya studied at Maimonides HS for a year, he now lives in Houston Texas with his wife Chaya Sara. They recently had a baby girl.

Mazal Tov, much Nachas!

Yehudah L. is dressed up with a beard and shield as Yehudah HaMaccabee surrounded by Tziporah and Adina as Dreidels! Behind them are the letters Tzadik and Kuf from the Nursery’s colorful giant Aleph-Bais chart.

MENORAH MAKING Kindergarteners are happy to paint the bases for their Menorahs this week. Chanukah is a week from this Sat Night and there’s holiday learning and activities all around school.

NEW ONLINE REVIEW PROJECT Morah Leyee introduced her 5th grade Chumash students to the online “Engrade” tool (well-regarded, used by many schools) for review and testing. There are flashcards for vocab, multiple choice questions and more!

It’s fun for the kids to use both in school and at home, and we hope to gradually implement it for more subjects and classes.

RAFFLE-AUCTION LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY Be sure to check out the prize packages, and get your tickets in! Please share the Raffle-Auction with friends and family, via mail, email PDF or online at: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction! We will honor early-bird specials (free $10 tickets) for out-of-town submissions until Tuesday December 5th.

New prize-packages this year include: The all-new Apple iPad Retina (amazingly crisp display) with higher processing speed; the “Breakfast Package” with a Keurig Coffee machine, Chalav Yisrael milk, cereals and more!; a year’s subscription to “Living Torah” weekly videos of the Rebbe; the “Camping-Out” package with a tent, sleeping bags, books and accessories; and more!

Sneak Preview of this year’s Chanukah Dinner: Going with the Midway theme, the Kochmans are going all-out once again to prepare a unique feast with corn-dogs on a stick; meat, peppers & onions sandwiches, blooming onions & other fair-type foods!

FIRST PACKAGE 2 MAZAL SCHOOL

SHAPES OF CHUMASH Morah Leyee’s 5th graders had an interesting Chumash assignment this week. She gave them each the same set of cut-out shapes and told them to design a picture that depicts a scene from the Chumash they learned about Yosef and his brothers, the wagon sent up to get the families, Yaakov meeting Yosef etc...

Thanks to those who brought in assorted school supplies and some books, we’ll be sending our first package to the Mazal School in Brighton Beach in our efforts to help them recover from flooding. Anything brought in before Chanukah will go in this package.

ANCIENT GREEKS D.B.Q. HS wrote essays using the Document Based Questions method on ancient Greeks and their influence on other civilizations in areas of architecture, mathematics, and culture…

MATHEMAGICIAN, PHD That’s not a typo. Dr. Arthur Benjamin is both a professor of mathematics and a magician.

He combined these two loves to create a presentation called "Mathemagics," where he demonstrates and explains his SODA BOTTLE CHARACTERS secrets for performing rapid Mrs. Carroll’s 3rd graders each read chapter mental calculations. He books and designed their own soda-bottle presented his high energy talk throughout the characters, along with a paragraph describing world and appeared on many national TV the character’s appearance, feelings & actions. programs. 6th graders watched a video of him to excite them about math and its uses, and give them tips and tricks on how to get better HOUSE RULES at math thinking, even if they don’t become 7/8 Gemorah class is now on bottom of mathemagicians themselves. Give him any Sukkah 3a, where a Braysah (Mishnaic-era text) lists 10 Mitzvos and Halachos that do not date and year and he will tell you the exact day of the week, right off the top of his head! They apply to a house with less than a 4x4 Amah loved it, and several reported about it in TNT. footprint. So in the course of a few Talmud lines they’re learning the Mitzvos of Mezuzah SHMUEL DOVID’S PUZZLES & the Maakah safety fence, war exemptions, the issues of joining multi-family properties for Shmuel Dovid designed a Word-Find for this the laws of carrying on Shabbos, big city realMC - hope to make room. It was exciting to estate sales, divisions of inheritance and more! see his full-page in Beth Israel’s Newsletter.

MORE OF NOAH’S ARK VISIT...

Clockwise from top-right: (a) The costumed Noah meets our very own Noah! (b) Tziporah enjoys a close encounter with the live Llama (c) Calev relaxing on a big (fake) turtle outside the Ark - because like fish they swam alongside the Teiva (d) Chaim is excited to give this game his best shot, trying to imagine Noah feeding all the animals, one after another… the costumed Noah also put a real lizard on Chaim’s shirt, that was quite the shock!

Thanks to Saratoga Chabad for this special visual and memorable educational treat!

APPS PROJECTS DUE MON 12/10 For grades 6-8. Remember the guidelines: 18”x24” portrait, anything Midway related (food, activities, amusements, characters etc), along with inspirational life message or Jewish connection, bold big words, no small text, color is great, 3-D is OK but must be light enough to hang. They will be on display for the Midway Chanukah Raffle-Auction Event.

SIXTH GRADE NAVI PROJECTS PRESENTATIONS ON WEDNESDAY LAST WEEK Morah Clara’s 6th graders prepared and presented projects on the first few chapters of Shmuel Aleph, about the prayer of Chana, the birth of her son Shmuel and his first prophecy. In addition to two Powerpoints shown on the large screen, L-R: Eli made a lego model of the Mishkan where Eli served and Shmuel was raised; Mendel H. made a poster about the trips to Shiloh made by Elkana and his family; Orley made a comic strip; Mendel V. made a poster about the Ohel Moed Mishkan and the exchange between Eli and Shmuel; Shmuel Dovid couldn’t make it to school that day, but sent ahead a Lego model of a moving Shmuel toward Eli (each time Hashem called) and behind it a platform to fit an iPhone that had a recording S.D. made with his father about the conversation between Eli and Shmuel at the time of Shmuel’s first prophecy (that he was unaware of at first). There were additional projects but not all were pictured.

at Maimonides and in the Community 12/1: CONDOLENCES TO BEV SHOR 12/9: MENORAH & WONDERLAND

12/14: CHANUKAH WEEKEND

This is the last night that Mrs. Bev Shor (longstanding pillar of the Vaad and Shul community) will be sitting Shiva at her home after the sudden passing of her sister Aviva Kamp of Syracuse.

No School at Maimonides on Friday, to allow for an extended Chanukah weekend.

12/1: RABBI REISMAN ON T.C.N. Rabbi Reisman’s Navi lecture at the CBAJ Luchins Media Center, 7:30pm. Rabbi Yissachar Frand gives a Thursday Parsha class, also at CBAJ at 9pm.

12/1: YUD-TES KISLEV WEEKEND Motti and a Yeshiva friend will be up this Shabbos at Shomray Torah for added flavor, learning and warmth. There will be a communal festive Melava Malka Chassidic Farbrengen (with kids program) on Saturday Night held at the school (upstairs Farbrengen, downstairs kids program) to begin at 7pm. All are welcome!

Grand outdoor Menorah lighting at Delmar’s Four Corners (where Delaware & Kenwood meets), 3:30pm followed by the Chanukah Wonderland in Bethlehem Town Hall with a magician, sand art, build your own menorah, cooking demo and more!

Free admission, food is for sale. For more info call: 439-8280 or email: info@bethlehemchabad.com

4pm Duplo (large-size) Lego Menorah construction, and 5pm event with Menorah Lighting, Dreidels and Donuts, live music, arts & crafts and joyous Chanukah activities at the Clifton Park Center (Mall) near the Hilton Garden Inn entrance. Call Rabbi Yossi or Leyee at 495-0772/9 for more info.

12/9: BETH ISRAEL IN SCHEN.

12/10: DREIDELS & DONUTS E.G.

8pm at Maimonides, for text-based learning and discussion about the Chanukah Lights. Call Leyee 495-0772/9 for more info. All women welcome, all levels of Jewish learning can benefit!

Annual Chanukah party & celebration (this year on the last night!) 7:30pm at the Simons, 109 Elsmere Ave in Delmar. Call 439-8280 for info.

12/9: DREIDELS DONUTS & DUPLO 12/15: CBAJ & HACD CONCERT

Annual Chanukah Party with magician, Ruach, festive music and delicious dinner. 6pm. Kids under 12 are $6, non-members $15pp. RSVP by 12/2: HALFMOON HOME DEPOT Menorah workshop at the Halfmoon Home Depot 12/7 to Cong. Beth Israel: 377-3700. These Sunday with Clifton Park Chabad. Spaces are limited, since communal Chanukah events are staggered time-wise, so last year’s crowd was too much for Home Depot. If its possible for families to attend 2 or 3 of the events, even you are thinking of attending please check first with if you come a little late to the next one…

Rabbi Yossi at 495-0772/9.

12/2: WOMENS BEIT-MIDRASH

12/15: DELMAR CHANUKAH

Dreidel Games! Arts & Crafts! Storytelling! Latkes and Donuts! 4pm at the East Greenbush Public Library, 10 Community Way with 5pm Menorah Lighting. For more info, call Rabbi Laber at (518) 727-6037 or visit www.JewishGreenbush.com

12/5: NEW WOMENS YOGA SEASON 12/11: MHDS CHANUKAH 4TH NITE Welcome to the start of another 6-week session for “MIDWAY” AUCTION & DINNER

Live concert led by Rabbi Rami Strosberg hosted by CBAJ & HACD at CBAJ. Doors open 6pm, begins 6:30pm. Advance tickets are: $10pp, $45 max per family; at door: $15pp/$60 per family - includes dinner. Call CBAJ 489-5819 or online at: cbaj.org.

12/16: WIESENTHAL DIRECTOR Jewish Federation brings Mark Weitzman, director of the Task Force against Hate & Terroism at the Wiesenthal Center will speak on “Growing AntiSemitism Worldwide” at Temple Israel, 7:15pm light dinner (by Saati), 8pm program, 9pm desserts. $20 prepaid, $25 at the door, Young Adult (22-40) is $10 pre-paid. Call 783-7800 for RSVP/info.

12/16: F.C. CHANUKAH BOWL Annual tradition for children with special needs and their families, 3-4:30pm at Del-Lanes in Delmar. Call 438-4220 for more info.

12/22: PIZZA NITE II The first pizza-night was a great success, there was lots of great feedback on the improved, speedy service, and new offerings! Look for updates as we get closer to the 2nd Pizza night of the season.

women, Torah & Yoga Wednesdays at school. Call 495-0779/2 for cost, times and babysitting info.

Raffle-Auction has been mailed, school families are mailing and emailing to friends and family, and it is 12/26-30: JGR WINTER RETREAT now online: www.maimonidesschool.org/auction Winter Retreat for Jewish girls ages 8-15 once again 12/8: SHABBOS HOUSE SCHEDULE or you can get tickets at the event itself, which will at Dunham’s Bay Resort in Lake George, Wed Dec be lots of Chanukah fun on the 4th night!

As Chanukah falls this year during the semester 26th to Sunday Dec 30th. This year’s theme is (leading up to and during finals) Shabbos House is “Hidden Treasures Within” with workshops in 12/12/12: CHANUKAH ON ICE hosting a series of events for students, including creative writing, art, crafts, drama, choir and dance.

Latke Making & Game Night with Bingo for Sandy Saratoga Chabad will once again host “Chanukah The schedule includes snow tubing, bonfire, Relief, Sunday Chanukah Minyan Bagel Brunch, swimming, performing arts, yoga, crafts, talent show on Ice” as well a public menorah lighting, along an on-campus Hurricane Coin Menorah lighting on with a dairy buffet and crispy latkes and doughnuts, and dance night w/ DJ. Girls are expected from as Monday, Midnight Breakfast on Tues, and Friday close as Albany and as far as Virginia and Atlanta. plus arts and crafts at the Saratoga Springs Ice Night Chanukah-style. Events are for students, Skating Rink, 30 Weibel Ave, 4:30-6pm. $5pp. For A project of YALDAH Media, Inc. and Chabad of contact Shabbos House with questions: 438-4227. more info call 526-0773 or email: saratora@aol.com Southern Rensselaer County. Info? visit JewishGirlsRetreat.net or call Mrs. Laber 727-9581.

12/9: CHANUKAH KIDS PROGRAM

12/13: SCHOOL PLAYS & SONGS

12-1pm at Maimonides, open to all Jewish boys and girls, with storytelling, Chanukah Bingo game, lively energy, raffles & prizes including a bicycle.

Get into Chanukah spirit on the 1st day! RSVPs are helpful: kids@capitalchabad.com Info: 522-8478.

The annual Chanukah plays and performances will be on Thursday morning, parents and friends are welcome. School ends at 3:30pm. In addition our students will be performing at senior centers and will be assisting with a variety of area programs.

MAIMONIDES SCHOOL (Nursery / Elementary / High School) & COMMUNITY 404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208 (518) 453-9363/3434 maimonidesschool@gmail.com Founded in 1980, Maimonides is chartered by the NYS Board of Regents and is a JF-NENY Beneficiary “A Beautiful Blend: Torah & Worldly Experience!”

1/13/13: SPA FOR BODY & SOUL Save the date for this annual womens communal event, with an inspiring speaker, delicious luncheon and hands-on workshops, held once again in Clifton Park. Call Leah 495-0772 or Clara 4398280 for more information or to volunteer.